If you've put concealer on the bench for looking cakey or thick, it's time to get this complexion-perfecting powerhouse back in action. The new lightweight formulas are highly pigmented, easily blendable and practically disappear into skin. "They cover, but your skin is coming through at the same time," says NYC makeup artist Nick Barose. "You can look like you're not wearing anything." To create a natural appearance, use a light hand—and be conservative in application. "When people use concealer to completely get rid of things, that's when it looks like a mask," says Barose, who prefers to let his clients' freckles show through their makeup. "Step 2 feet away from the mirror. If you don't see it, you don't need to cover it." Consider this your playbook for skin that wins every time.

The Toolkit

Tinted Moisturizer: To keep concealer from looking like a lone splotch of product, use this to unify skin texture. It also eliminates redness, so you can assess what needs spot coverage—and what doesn't. Pictured: Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30, $44

Tapered Brush:"Never use your fingers," says Barose, who adds that doing so can leave too much product on your skin. Instead, look for a brush that spreads out when held flat against your face but narrows at the top for better precision. Pictured: Sephora PRO Stippling Concealer Brush #52, $24